2025 NCLEX-RN Exam – 130 Questions & Verified
Answers | NGN Format | A+ Grade | Latest Update |
Guaranteed Satisfaction
Question 1 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with depression states, “I’m a burden to everyone.” Which response demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
A: “You’re not a burden; you’re just sad.”
B: “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed. Can you tell me more?”
C: “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
D: “Let’s talk about something positive.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication uses open-ended questions and reflection to encourage
expression. Option B validates feelings and promotes dialogue, per Varcarolis (Ch. 7). Options
A, C, and D dismiss or redirect emotions. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 2 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with schizophrenia reports, “The voices tell me to hurt myself.” What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A: Administer an antipsychotic immediately
B: Assess the content and urgency of the hallucinations
C: Place the client in seclusion
D: Tell the client the voices are not real
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing hallucinations determines the risk of self-harm, per Varcarolis (Ch. 14).
Medication (A) requires a prescription, seclusion (C) is a last resort, and denial (D) may
invalidate the client’s experience. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 3 (SATA, Psychosocial Integrity)
Which symptoms indicate a manic episode in bipolar disorder? (Select all that apply.)
A: Increased need for sleep
B: Pressured speech
C: Grandiosity
D: Weight gain
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: Manic episodes involve pressured speech, grandiosity, and decreased sleep, per
,Varcarolis (Ch. 13). Increased sleep (A) and weight gain (D) are associated with depression.
Scoring: +/-; +1 for each correct, -1 for each incorrect, minimum 0.
Question 4 (Pharmacological)
A client with anxiety receives lorazepam 1 mg PRN. What is the priority monitoring parameter?
A: Blood pressure
B: Respiratory rate
C: Blood glucose
D: Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, can cause respiratory depression, making respiratory
rate the priority, per Saunders (Ch. 16). Other parameters (A, C, D) are less critical. Scoring:
0/1.
Question 5 (NGN Case Study, Psychosocial Integrity)
Case Study: A 30-year-old client is admitted with suicidal ideation and a plan to overdose. The
nurse observes pacing and tearfulness.
Question: What is the nurse’s first action?
A: Initiate one-to-one observation
B: Assess the client’s suicide risk further
C: Administer an antidepressant
D: Encourage group therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing the suicide plan’s specifics determines immediate risk, per Varcarolis (Ch.
10). Observation (A) may follow, medication (C) requires a prescription, and therapy (D) is not
immediate. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 6 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with PTSD experiences a flashback. What should the nurse do first?
A: Administer a PRN anxiolytic
B: Orient the client to the present environment
C: Restrain the client for safety
D: Leave the client alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orienting the client reduces distress during a flashback, per Varcarolis (Ch. 16).
Medication (A) requires assessment, restraint (C) is inappropriate, and leaving (D) may worsen
anxiety. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 7 (Psychosocial Integrity)
,What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression?
A: To prescribe medication
B: To modify negative thought patterns
C: To explore childhood trauma
D: To improve social skills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CBT modifies negative thoughts to improve mood, per Varcarolis (Ch. 8).
Medication (A) is pharmacological, trauma (C) is psychoanalytic, and social skills (D) are
secondary. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 8 (Pharmacological)
A client on fluoxetine reports nausea and insomnia. What should the nurse advise?
A: Stop the medication immediately
B: Consult the healthcare provider
C: Take the medication at night
D: Double the dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side effects should be reported for adjustment, per Saunders (Ch. 16). Stopping (A),
changing timing (C), or doubling (D) without consultation is unsafe. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 9 (Psychosocial Integrity)
Which behavior indicates borderline personality disorder?
A: Consistent mood stability
B: Impulsive self-harm behaviors
C: Minimal social interaction
D: Organized daily routines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder involves impulsivity and self-harm, per Varcarolis
(Ch. 17). Stability (A), isolation (C), and organization (D) are less characteristic. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 10 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with alcohol dependence is admitted for detox. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A: Encourage group therapy
B: Monitor for withdrawal symptoms
C: Administer disulfiram
D: Provide nutritional counseling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring for withdrawal symptoms (e.g., seizures) is critical during detox, per
Varcarolis (Ch. 22). Therapy (A), disulfiram (C), and counseling (D) are secondary. Scoring:
0/1.
, Question 11 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat. What is the nurse’s best response?
A: Insist the client eat immediately
B: Explore the client’s feelings about food
C: Administer a sedative
D: Restrict the client’s activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring feelings builds trust and addresses underlying issues, per Varcarolis (Ch.
19). Insisting (A), sedating (C), or restricting (D) may escalate resistance. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 12 (Pharmacological)
What is the therapeutic range for lithium in bipolar disorder?
A: 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
B: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
C: 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
D: 2.0–2.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium’s therapeutic range is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L, per Saunders (Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 13 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with OCD performs repetitive hand-washing. What is the nurse’s best intervention?
A: Interrupt the ritual immediately
B: Gradually limit the ritual time
C: Encourage more frequent washing
D: Ignore the behavior completely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gradually limiting ritual time reduces anxiety, per Varcarolis (Ch. 15). Interrupting
(A), encouraging (C), or ignoring (D) may worsen symptoms. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 14 (SATA, Psychosocial Integrity)
Case Study (NGN): A client with major depressive disorder is withdrawn and not eating. Which
interventions should the nurse prioritize? (Select all that apply.)
A: Monitor nutritional intake
B: Administer an IV fluid
C: Encourage social interaction
D: Assess for suicidal thoughts
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Monitoring intake (A), encouraging interaction (C), and assessing suicide risk (D)
address immediate needs, per Varcarolis (Ch. 13). IV fluids (B) require a medical order.
Scoring: +/-; +1 for each correct, -1 for each incorrect, minimum 0.
Answers | NGN Format | A+ Grade | Latest Update |
Guaranteed Satisfaction
Question 1 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with depression states, “I’m a burden to everyone.” Which response demonstrates
therapeutic communication?
A: “You’re not a burden; you’re just sad.”
B: “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed. Can you tell me more?”
C: “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
D: “Let’s talk about something positive.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication uses open-ended questions and reflection to encourage
expression. Option B validates feelings and promotes dialogue, per Varcarolis (Ch. 7). Options
A, C, and D dismiss or redirect emotions. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 2 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with schizophrenia reports, “The voices tell me to hurt myself.” What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A: Administer an antipsychotic immediately
B: Assess the content and urgency of the hallucinations
C: Place the client in seclusion
D: Tell the client the voices are not real
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing hallucinations determines the risk of self-harm, per Varcarolis (Ch. 14).
Medication (A) requires a prescription, seclusion (C) is a last resort, and denial (D) may
invalidate the client’s experience. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 3 (SATA, Psychosocial Integrity)
Which symptoms indicate a manic episode in bipolar disorder? (Select all that apply.)
A: Increased need for sleep
B: Pressured speech
C: Grandiosity
D: Weight gain
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: Manic episodes involve pressured speech, grandiosity, and decreased sleep, per
,Varcarolis (Ch. 13). Increased sleep (A) and weight gain (D) are associated with depression.
Scoring: +/-; +1 for each correct, -1 for each incorrect, minimum 0.
Question 4 (Pharmacological)
A client with anxiety receives lorazepam 1 mg PRN. What is the priority monitoring parameter?
A: Blood pressure
B: Respiratory rate
C: Blood glucose
D: Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, can cause respiratory depression, making respiratory
rate the priority, per Saunders (Ch. 16). Other parameters (A, C, D) are less critical. Scoring:
0/1.
Question 5 (NGN Case Study, Psychosocial Integrity)
Case Study: A 30-year-old client is admitted with suicidal ideation and a plan to overdose. The
nurse observes pacing and tearfulness.
Question: What is the nurse’s first action?
A: Initiate one-to-one observation
B: Assess the client’s suicide risk further
C: Administer an antidepressant
D: Encourage group therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing the suicide plan’s specifics determines immediate risk, per Varcarolis (Ch.
10). Observation (A) may follow, medication (C) requires a prescription, and therapy (D) is not
immediate. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 6 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with PTSD experiences a flashback. What should the nurse do first?
A: Administer a PRN anxiolytic
B: Orient the client to the present environment
C: Restrain the client for safety
D: Leave the client alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orienting the client reduces distress during a flashback, per Varcarolis (Ch. 16).
Medication (A) requires assessment, restraint (C) is inappropriate, and leaving (D) may worsen
anxiety. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 7 (Psychosocial Integrity)
,What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression?
A: To prescribe medication
B: To modify negative thought patterns
C: To explore childhood trauma
D: To improve social skills
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CBT modifies negative thoughts to improve mood, per Varcarolis (Ch. 8).
Medication (A) is pharmacological, trauma (C) is psychoanalytic, and social skills (D) are
secondary. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 8 (Pharmacological)
A client on fluoxetine reports nausea and insomnia. What should the nurse advise?
A: Stop the medication immediately
B: Consult the healthcare provider
C: Take the medication at night
D: Double the dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side effects should be reported for adjustment, per Saunders (Ch. 16). Stopping (A),
changing timing (C), or doubling (D) without consultation is unsafe. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 9 (Psychosocial Integrity)
Which behavior indicates borderline personality disorder?
A: Consistent mood stability
B: Impulsive self-harm behaviors
C: Minimal social interaction
D: Organized daily routines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder involves impulsivity and self-harm, per Varcarolis
(Ch. 17). Stability (A), isolation (C), and organization (D) are less characteristic. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 10 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with alcohol dependence is admitted for detox. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A: Encourage group therapy
B: Monitor for withdrawal symptoms
C: Administer disulfiram
D: Provide nutritional counseling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring for withdrawal symptoms (e.g., seizures) is critical during detox, per
Varcarolis (Ch. 22). Therapy (A), disulfiram (C), and counseling (D) are secondary. Scoring:
0/1.
, Question 11 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat. What is the nurse’s best response?
A: Insist the client eat immediately
B: Explore the client’s feelings about food
C: Administer a sedative
D: Restrict the client’s activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring feelings builds trust and addresses underlying issues, per Varcarolis (Ch.
19). Insisting (A), sedating (C), or restricting (D) may escalate resistance. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 12 (Pharmacological)
What is the therapeutic range for lithium in bipolar disorder?
A: 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
B: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
C: 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
D: 2.0–2.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium’s therapeutic range is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L, per Saunders (Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 13 (Psychosocial Integrity)
A client with OCD performs repetitive hand-washing. What is the nurse’s best intervention?
A: Interrupt the ritual immediately
B: Gradually limit the ritual time
C: Encourage more frequent washing
D: Ignore the behavior completely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gradually limiting ritual time reduces anxiety, per Varcarolis (Ch. 15). Interrupting
(A), encouraging (C), or ignoring (D) may worsen symptoms. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 14 (SATA, Psychosocial Integrity)
Case Study (NGN): A client with major depressive disorder is withdrawn and not eating. Which
interventions should the nurse prioritize? (Select all that apply.)
A: Monitor nutritional intake
B: Administer an IV fluid
C: Encourage social interaction
D: Assess for suicidal thoughts
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Monitoring intake (A), encouraging interaction (C), and assessing suicide risk (D)
address immediate needs, per Varcarolis (Ch. 13). IV fluids (B) require a medical order.
Scoring: +/-; +1 for each correct, -1 for each incorrect, minimum 0.
